Author: Mike

Dudes. Gals. I’m am so pumped, and this tournament is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. Like, holler out out your window to it, and it’s all, “Yeah, I’m COMING RIGHT UP!”

Now, we love all you teams that qualified. We truly do. However, there are (as I write this) still 9 teams who haven’t pitched in their fee. We need you to pay the registration fee by August 9th OR FACE THE SHAME CAVE. These funds are exactly what we need in order to do things like, oh, I dunno, host a big tournament. Turns out our brutish charm and cheese-ball grins don’t pay for lumber and food like they used to, so your cooperation in that is greatly appreciated. All information needed to complete that part of the deal is in your registration email. THANKS.

Don’t forget! Registration party at the Hexagon Bar, located at 2600 27th Ave South, Minneapolis, on Thursday night. We’ll have pick-up at McRae Park, which is at 906 E 47th Street, Minneapolis, earlier in the evening for folks who are into that sort of thing.

A little bird told me that some of you precious flowers have been murmuring things like, “Heyyyyy, man, those courts are a reeeeeeally long bike ride from where I’m being housed, and I don’t think I can hack it.” Fret not, my babies. We got a school bus that will pick you up at designated times and locations that are a much shorter bike ride from the floor you’re sleeping on. Now, if you can’t get your tuckus out of your bedroll in time to catch that wondrous wagon, well, then you’re just gonna have to hack it, sport.

Speaking of hacking it, have I told you we’re having side hack races around the Oval?! Yup. Bet your bippy on it. So, get rad, get in the hack, and hold on. Winner takes all bragging rights about winning.

While we’re probably going to be pretty lenient with the side hack certification, we ARE looking for folks who know the rules to ref this deal. This year, with the help of NAH, we’re making sure refs officiating games are not just good looking, but SMART and know the rules. They have been subjected to a GRUELING (kidding, it’s not, at all) test. Think you have what it takes? You should try it out. Super duper reffing test We’re also asking that at least one member of each team take the test, even if you have no machinations to ref a game.

Ahhh, yes (tents fingers), RULES. I should let you know that even though we all fantasized about being Mad Max and Tank Girl at some point, there ARE rules about how the bike you’re riding and the mallet you’re using need to be set up in order to be a legal force to be reckoned with on tournament courts. Here’s a refresher on the ruleset we will be using to OKAY your bike and mallet for play.

BIKES:§2.3.1 – The bicycle has at least one braking mechanism.§2.3.1.1 – A fixed gear drive train with foot retention on both pedals qualifies as a braking mechanism.§2.3.1.2 – The handlebars are plugged or capped.§2.3.1.3 – The chain is on the outermost chain ring or there is a bash guard.§2.3.1.4 – There are no racks, fenders, bottle cages, saddlebags or other additions to the bicycle specifically designed to block the ball.§2.3.1.4.1 – Wheel covers, which cover the spokes of the wheel, are an exception to §2.3.1.4 and are permitted.§2.3.1.5 – There are no sharp edges, points, loose screws, or otherwise unsafe parts (at the discretion of the referee).

MALLETS:§2.4 – Mallets§2.4.1 – Shaft§2.4.1.1 – The shaft is made of metal or carbon fiber.§2.4.1.2 – The gripped end of the shaft is plugged or sealed.§2.4.1.3 – The shaft does not protrude through the bottom of the mallet head.§2.4.2 – Mallet head§2.4.2.1 – The mallet head is made of plastic.§2.4.2.2 – The mallet head is securely fastened to the shaft.§2.4.2.3 – The mallet head is a maximum of 180mm (7”) in length.§2.4.2.4 – The inner diameter of any hole on the mallet head may not exceed 57mm (2.25”).§2.4.3 – Dangerous mallets§2.4.3.1 – The referee disallows the use of mallets that they deem dangerous. Examples of dangerous mallets may include: Mallets that splinter, shatter, or break easily, mallets with sharp protrusions, etc.

We will have a limited supply of bike parts for sale on site, along with tools and mechanics to amend any transgressions regarding your bikes or mallets.

Again, we’re forever grateful to our sponsors for helping us out with this, it’s gonna be awesome. Teams, we are so excited to have you in our fabulous city. Even you, Milwaukee.

Everything in the silent auction sold, included a custom BIG SHOT provided by Penn Cycle. The lucky gal who out-bid everyone was happy to be getting a new bike and was anxious to see if she could try it out on the polo courts. Hey, man, the more the merrier at pick-up, I say. The night went smoothly, even with a line of people waiting outside to get in. Folks who made it in the doors were grateful for the raffle prizes and the deliciously high alcohol content of the beer. Frankly, we’re utterly shocked that so many of you like us and are THAT good looking.

We are so excited to host this tournament, there’s nary a pair of clean pants among us and all of our hand gestures have been diminished to “HELL YES” fist pumps, very much to the chagrin of our day-job coworkers.Mr. Do was out this weekend, getting on-location shots for the amazing montage sequences that will accompany the livestream of this event. That’s right. If you can’t travel to Minnesota to watch this rad tournament, can’t be bothered to put pants on, or if trolling chatroll is where you shine, check out bikepolo.tv and follow the results at http://www.followpodium.com/. We’ll have Zachary Bloomington and super special guest announcer MACHINE, along with Mr. Do, Johnny Slurwheel, and Sweet Jenn providing color commentary, play by play, and player interviews along with the livestream of the tournament games.

If you’re unfamiliar with the world of polo, let me assure you, this is a big deal. Don’t say it isn’t. It is.

If you are in need of housing as a travelling player, please fill out THIS FORM asap, and we’ll find you a place to stay.
If you live in MSP, and you can PROVIDE housing to travelling players, please fill out THIS FORM.

More information and ramblings to come!

Blog Post summary: Polo is awesome, cyborgs, satan, we like money and sponsors, tournament, tournament housing, and we love you.

As you may know, we are hosting a big-deal tournament, 2013 North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships, later this summer. In preparation for this event, we’d like to share the party vibe with you and give you all an opportunity to pitch in, and well, mostly, we just want to party with you.

Dangerous Man Brewing Co has been gracious enough to allow us to host a party fundraiser and will be providing drink specials and ambiance. We have a silent auction and raffle, with prizes featuring brand new Adam Turman prints hot off the press, Banjo Brothers bags full of swag, as well other rad, bikey stuff for you to win. You may even win a bike.

Start: Corcoran Park 3334 20th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55407, end up at Dangerous Man Brewing first, and strut around bragging about it all night. All racers get a free raffle ticket.

Buy a few raffle tickets, some locally crafted brew, and get your party on with the raddest folks around. Please help us show our guests coming for this tournament how Minneapolis rules the school when it comes to bike events (I’m looking at you, Portland, you know MPLS rules, you know it.)

Our very own Mr. Do will be touring the major NAH tournaments this year, providing us, through the intimacy only the glow of our computer monitors can provide, a livestream of hot polo action at bikepolo.tv.